{"product_id":"american-highbush-reranberry","title":"American Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum opulus var. americanum)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e American Highbush Cranberry\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eViburnum opulus var. americanum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Adoxaceae (Moschatel)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStatus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dakota County\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape Archetype:\u003c\/strong\u003e Woodland, Forest, Wetland edge\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial (deciduous shrub)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full Sun to Part Sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Moisture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mesic\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loam, silt loam, clay loam\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight \u0026amp; Width Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height: Hedge Layer 6-12 feet Width: 8–12 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBloom Color: \u003c\/strong\u003eWhite \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMorphology Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e American highbush cranberry is an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with opposite, three-lobed leaves that resemble those of maples, turning brilliant red in fall. Leaves are coarsely toothed and may be lightly pubescent beneath. The inflorescence (flower) is a flat‑topped compound structure technically a corymb, with a ring of showy sterile florets surrounding a central cluster of small fertile flowers—think hydrangea. Blooming occurs from late May to June, with the sterile white florets drawing pollinators to the fertile interior. The fruits are bright red and very ornamental.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruits and Seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fruits are bright red drupes, a sort of berry type thing that is cranberry-like flesh wrapped around a hard flattened seed typical of viburnums. These fruits ripen in late summer and persist well into winter if the chickens or children don’t get them first. Fruits are tart like cranberries, hence the common name and historically have been used for preserves and sauces. Here at NH headquarters, we eat them raw as a punchy snack but be warned there is a look-a-like species from Europe called Guelder-rose (\u003cem\u003eViburnum opulus var. opulus\u003c\/em\u003e) that makes identical fruits with a taste reminiscent of ammonia. Yuck! It is notable that these two species have been known to hybridize and unfortunately the fruit of the hybrid is also disgusting. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabit and Habitat: \u003c\/strong\u003eUpright, branching, vase‑shaped to rounded form, often sending up multiple stems from the base. It thrives along woodland edges, moist forests, riparian corridors, wetland margins, and upland sites with adequate moisture, and is more tolerant of shade than many fruiting shrubs. The shrub becomes denser and more floriferous in sunnier exposures and may grow more open or leggy in deep shade. Keep it irrigated in more sun. It tolerates seasonal flooding and heavier soils and is a characteristic component of cool northern forests and mixed hardwood ecosystems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanions: \u003c\/strong\u003ePagoda Dogwood (\u003cem\u003eCornus alternifolia\u003c\/em\u003e), Black chokeberry (\u003cem\u003eAronia melanocarpa\u003c\/em\u003e), \u003cem\u003eBlephilia hirsuta\u003c\/em\u003e (Hairy Woodmint), Ostrich fern (\u003cem\u003eMatteuccia struthiopteris\u003c\/em\u003e), \u003cem\u003eAgeratina altissima\u003c\/em\u003e (White Snakeroot),\u003cem\u003e Bromus pubescens\u003c\/em\u003e (Hairy Woodland Brome) or other woodland grasses, underplant with moist loving woodland sedges like \u003cem\u003eCarex gracillima\u003c\/em\u003e (Graceful Sedge), \u003cem\u003eCarex woodii \u003c\/em\u003e(Pretty Sedge), \u003cem\u003eCarex sparganioides\u003c\/em\u003e (Bur-reed Sedge).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEcological Associations:\u003c\/strong\u003e The flowers provide nectar and pollen to small native bees including Carpenter Bees (\u003cem\u003eCeratina dupla\u003c\/em\u003e) and Sweat Bees (\u003cem\u003eLasioglossum imitatum\u003c\/em\u003e), and they are also visited by syrphid flies such as the Margined Calligrapher (\u003cem\u003eToxomerus marginatus\u003c\/em\u003e). The fruits are consumed by birds including American Robin (\u003cem\u003eTurdus migratorius\u003c\/em\u003e) and Cedar Waxwing (\u003cem\u003eBombycilla cedrorum\u003c\/em\u003e), and mammals such as foxes and small rodents. The shrub serves as a host plant for the Viburnum Leaf Beetle (\u003cem\u003ePyrrhalta viburni\u003c\/em\u003e), a troublesome pest whose larvae can severely damage Viburnums. Be aware of this pest before planting this species, though straight species natives show a greater resistance to the bug than the European and cultivar species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: \u003c\/strong\u003eMidwest: MN and MI\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNH Propagation Technique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vendor stock from seed or cuttings. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Powers: \u003c\/strong\u003eThe flowers are unassuming at first but break out into a spectacular show that leads to delicious edible “berries” that taste like cranberries! This shrub excels as a four-season performer, offering showy spring bloom, abundant summer fruit, spectacular fall color, and lingering clusters of bright red drupes through winter. It's an excellent plant for natural borders and smaller gardens looking for a big impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 15.0pt;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Northern Holler, LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48325228790010,"sku":"VIBU-AMER-01","price":10.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/9929\/3946\/files\/20240521_191733656_iOS.jpg?v=1771504147","url":"https:\/\/northernholler.com\/products\/american-highbush-reranberry","provider":"Northern Holler, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}